5-Ingredient Pizza Dip
Kelly Senyei, founder of the food site Just a Taste and host of The Sports & Forks Podcast, says her goal when hosting “the ultimate game-day watch party is to serve up a spirited spread of food and drinks that inspires people to gather and celebrate, regardless of whose team is winning.” For this deliciously easy, cheesy appetizer, Kelly calls for cottage cheese, which adds a tangy, creamy texture that sets it apart from other pizza dips, although you can swap in cream cheese if you like. Then get creative with your toppings! Sausage, mini pepperoni, mushrooms, olives and onions would all be great additions. “Bottom line: If you’d put it on a pizza, you can put it in this dip,” Kelly says. And best of all for game-day gatherings, the dip can be assembled ahead and baked just before your guests arrive.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (8 oz./250 g) cottage cheese
- 1 1/2 cups (6 oz./185 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup (1 oz./30 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1 cup (8 fl. oz./250 ml) marinara sauce
- Pizza toppings of choice
- Toasts or veggies for serving
Directions
Preheat an oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a food processor, blend the cottage cheese until creamy. Transfer the cottage cheese to a bowl, then stir in 1/2 cup (2 oz./60 g) of the mozzarella cheese, the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.
Spread the cottage cheese mixture on the bottom of a 9-inch (23-cm) skillet or ovenproof baking dish. Spread the marinara on top of the cottage cheese, then top it with the remaining 1 cup (4 oz./125 g) mozzarella cheese and the pizza toppings of choice.
Bake the dip until the cheese is melted, 10 to 12 minutes, then switch the oven to broil and broil until the cheese turns golden brown, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately with toasts or veggies for dipping. Serves 4.
Notes: You don’t have to blend the cottage cheese, but Kelly prefers the smoother texture and finds it’s better for dipping. You can make this recipe in one large baking dish or in individual baking dishes.
Recipe courtesy of Kelly Senyei, founder of Just a Taste and host of The Sports & Forks Podcast